As with many areas of the body, your mouth is full of bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. With proper oral hygiene and dental care, including daily brushing and flossing, you can keep the bacteria levels under control, reducing your chances of developing cavities and other teeth issues.

However, did you know that your oral health is also related to the overall health of the body? Research shows that problems with your oral health can impact other areas of the body. As your mouth is the entrance to the body’s digestive and respiratory tracts, research suggests that oral bacteria in the mouth can play a role in diseases in other parts of the body. Oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with a severe gum disease might play a role in other diseases, including endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, and pneumonia. In addition, some conditions may affect your oral health such as diabetes, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Due to the critical role that good oral health plays in the overall health of the body, it is important that the Federal Government has launched the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) in December 2023. This new plan will help ease financial barriers to accessing oral health care for eligible Canadian residents who:
• have an annual adjusted family net income of less than $90,000 and;
• don’t have access to dental insurance
For more information, check out the website at: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan.html. If you need any assistance with signing up, call us at: 250-871-5940.